January 7, 2026: The much-anticipated missing link on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is nearing completion and is expected to open to traffic on May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. Once operational, the 13-kilometre stretch near Lonavla is set to significantly ease congestion and reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by at least 30 minutes.
Officials overseeing the project said construction work has reached around 98% completion, with a firm target to inaugurate the stretch on the scheduled date. According to reports, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal recently inspected the site and chaired a review meeting, directing all concerned departments to ensure that the remaining work is completed within the stipulated deadline.
The missing link begins at Khopoli and ends near the Sinhgad Institute on the Pune side. Designed as a high-capacity corridor, the project features two eight-lane viaducts measuring 790 metres and 650 metres, along with two eight-lane tunnels spanning 1.75 kilometres and 8.92 kilometres. One of the most challenging sections lies between Lonavla and Khandala, where an 8.9-kilometre tunnel follows a 640-metre-long cable-stayed bridge rising nearly 100 metres above Tiger Valley.
Engineers involved in the project said certain stretches run as deep as 170 feet below ground level, with portions passing beneath Lonavla Lake, underscoring the complexity of construction in the ecologically sensitive and hilly terrain. Currently, the expressway covers around 19 kilometres between Khopoli and the Sinhgad Institute, much of it winding through the ghat section.
Due to the absence of the missing link, vehicles are presently forced to navigate a shared stretch where six lanes of the expressway merge with four lanes of the old Mumbai–Bengaluru highway (NH-4), narrowing into just six lanes and creating chronic bottlenecks. Once opened, the new link is expected to streamline traffic flow, improve safety, and offer a smoother, faster driving experience for daily commuters and long-distance travellers alike.
